Healing after abuse is not a straight road — and if you’ve ever felt like you were “going backward,” this episode is for you.

In this honest and vulnerable solo episode, Autumn opens up about why she missed last week’s show and shares her ongoing struggle with severe back pain, medical frustration, and the very real truth that healing—whether physical or emotional—is rarely neat or predictable.

She dives into her journey, including moments of PTSD, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts that still creep in years after escaping an abusive relationship. This episode is a powerful reminder that setbacks do not erase progress and that healing happens in layers.

Whether you're still in a situation, freshly out, or years into your healing journey, you’ll find comfort, validation, and truth in this week’s message: You are not behind. You are healing, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Resources:

📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline (USA)24/7 free & confidential support for anyone experiencing abuse🔗 ⁠www.thehotline.org⁠📱 Call: 800-799-SAFE (7233)📲 Text: “START” to 88788

• PTSD & Trauma Recovery Resources:

  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, PTSD: National Center for PTSD: https://www.ptsd.va.gov

  • American Psychological Association – Understanding Trauma: https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma

🎧 Listen, Follow & Share: Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream.👉 Follow us @AlmostObliviousPodcast📢 Share this episode to help break the silence and broaden the conversation.⁠Almost Oblivious Community on Facebook⁠⁠ – Connect with others and share your story

If you would like to submit your story or be a guest speaker, please submit a form here! If there are any topics that you think should be covered, please reach out to us!

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlmostObliviousPodcast.com/contact⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

When we talk about domestic violence, we often leave someone out of the conversation—men.

In this eye-opening episode of Almost Oblivious, we confront the stigma, silence, and stereotypes that keep so many male victims from speaking out. Abuse doesn’t discriminate—and yet, male victims are often met with disbelief, shame, or mockery when they try to seek help.

💔 1 in 4 men experience physical violence from a partner.
💬 Many never say a word.
📉 Limited resources. Deep-rooted stigma. Real pain.

It’s time we stop asking why they stayed—and start asking how we can support them.

This episode includes:
🔹 Eye-opening statistics
🔹 Common forms of abuse men face
🔹 Barriers to seeking help
🔹 A call for better resources & compassion for ALL survivors

Resources:

📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline (USA)
24/7 free & confidential support for anyone experiencing abuse
🔗 www.thehotline.org
📱 Call: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
📲 Text: “START” to 88788

📞 Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women
Specialized support for both male and female victims
📱 Call: 888-7HELPLINE (888-743-5754)

🌐 1in6
Support for men who have experienced sexual abuse or assault
🔗 www.1in6.org

🌐 Men’s Advice Line (UK-Based)
Confidential support for men experiencing domestic abuse
🔗 www.mensadviceline.org.uk

🌐 MaleSurvivor
Resources, forums, and peer support for male survivors
🔗 www.malesurvivor.org

• 1 in 4 men experience some form of physical violence by an intimate partner:
  Black, M.C., et al. (2011). National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report.
  🔗 CDC NISVS 2010 Report (PDF)

• Nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported an impact:
  Smith, S.G., et al. (2017). NISVS: 2015 Data Brief – Updated Release.
  🔗 CDC NISVS 2015 Brief (PDF)

• 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner:
  Black, M.C., et al. (2011). NISVS: 2010 Summary Report.
  🔗 CDC NISVS 2010 Report (PDF)

🎧 Listen, Follow & Share:
Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream.
👉 Follow us @AlmostObliviousPodcast
📢 Share this episode to help break the silence and broaden the conversation.Almost Oblivious Community on Facebook⁠ – Connect with others and share your story

If you would like to submit your story or be a guest speaker, please submit a form here! If there are any topics that you think should be covered, please reach out to us!

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlmostObliviousPodcast.com/contact⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Living with someone who has narcissistic traits — whether it's a partner, a parent, or someone else close to you — can feel like constant emotional warfare. In this episode of Almost Oblivious, Autumn Baker shares practical, solution-based strategies to help reduce conflict and protect your mental and emotional peace when leaving isn’t yet an option.

Drawing from recent training with Stepping Stones of Life and personal experience, this episode offers clear communication tools, boundary-setting techniques, and calming responses that can help you survive day to day — and remind you that you are not alone.

⚠️ Please note: These strategies are meant to help mitigate, not eliminate, the effects of narcissistic abuse. If your safety is at risk or you feel overwhelmed, you do not have to navigate this alone.

🛠️ In This Episode:

• Understanding narcissistic behavior and common patterns

• Ground rules for emotional protection

• Real-life examples of communication shifts to reduce conflict

• The Grey Rock Method

• Why these tools won’t always work — and why that’s not your fault

• A reminder: You deserve peace, and help is available

📚 Resources & Support:

• The Grey Rock Method- https://psychcentral.com/health/grey-rock-method

• Stepping Stones of Life – https://steppingstonesoflife.org/

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline
  📞 Call 800-799-SAFE (7233)
  💬 Or text "START" to 88788

  🌐 www.thehotline.org

  
  

• Love Is Respect – Especially for younger victims or those unsure🌐 www.loveisrespect.org

  
  

• Almost Oblivious Community on Facebook – Connect with others and share your story

  
  

  🎧 Don't forget to share, rate, and review to help us break the silence on domestic violence.

  If you would like to submit your story or be a guest speaker, please submit a form here! If there are any topics that you think should be covered, please reach out to us!

  • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlmostObliviousPodcast.com/contact⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AlmostObliviousPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠